2015-05-13T14:06:04-07:00 2014-12-31 990 2014-01-01 043047156 BELGRADE REGIONAL CONSERVATION ALLIANCE INC BELG 2074956039 PO Box 250 Belgrade Lakes ME 049180250 Richard Greenan Treasurer 2074959045 2015-05-06 2014 2016-02-25 16:41:14Z Melvin Croft 90 Eastwood Estates Smithfield ME 04978 602552 0 X www.belgradelakes.org X 1988 ME The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA) conserves the lands, water quality, and natural heritage of the Belgrade Lakes Watershed. 14 14 52 85 0 0 384038 382052 256626 193191 46733 27309 11291 0 698688 602552 0 0 0 0 300685 298070 0 0 15974 265752 267029 566437 565099 132251 37453 2021794 2311045 22066 273864 1999728 2037181 The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA) conserves the lands, water quality, and natural heritage of the Belgrade Lakes Watershed. To promote for the benefit of the general public the preservation of natural resources, to engage in and promote the scientific study of, and education regarding natural resources, and to use all property held by the corp, and the net earnings thereon, for the benefit of the general public and for charitable, educational, recreational, conservation, or scientific purposes. 0 0 237940 63568 231291 BRCA's Milfoil Program seeks to protect aquatic ecosystems & public enjoyment of the lakes in the Belgrade Lakes watershed, by preventing and mitigating the spread of invasive aquatic plants. BRCA places both paid & volunteer boat inspectors at public boat launches to check for plant fragments on boats entering & leaving lakes, and educates boaters about the threat posed by invasive aquatic plants. BRCA also organizes Invasive Plant Patrols to search for invasive plants that may have become established in at-risk areas. In 2014, BRCA employed 26 part-time workers and worked with 20 volunteers to provide 7,540 hours of coverage, & inspected 12,310 boats on 7 public boat ramps and 1 private launch. In 2010, variable milfoil was found growing in the Great Meadow Stream that runs between North Pond and Great Pond. During the summer of 2014, BRCA worked in partnership with the Belgrade Lakes Association to mitigate the variable milfoil infestation and pulled nearly 12,960 gallons of variable milfoil, while employing 9 summer staff and many volunteers. In partnership with Friends of Messalonskee, BRCA milfoil staff also pulled 16,438 gallons of variable milfoil from areas in Belgrade Stream and the southern end of Messalonskee Lake. 88390 500 88414 The primary goal of BRCA's Youth Conservation Corps is to protect the water quality of the Belgrade Lakes chain from degradation due to the impact of developed areas within the watershed. To accomplish this, the Conservation Corps employs local students to complete erosion control projects in the Belgrade Lakes Watershed, reducing the input of sediment, phosphorus, and other pollutants into the lakes. Typical projects include shoreline riprap, bare soil stabilization, buffer plantings, infiltration structures, rain gardens, and runoff diversion. Projects are completed primarily on privately-owned property around the lakes, and homeowners pay only for the cost of materials used. The cost of planning, technical assistance and labor is paid for by donations from area lake associations, municipalities, businesses and private donors. 56949 20000 47402 Lakes Trust division: BRCA's Lake Trust program is a collaborative between BRCA and the five lake associations in the Belgrade Lakes Watershed that was formed to: (1) Improve and maintain water quality in our lakes; (2) Build the capacity and strengthen the branding of lake associations; (3) Create public support and increase funding for water quality restoration. Through the Lake Trust, BRCA provides technical expertise and capacity-building assistance to the lake associations and facilitates watershed-wide discussion of water quality issues. Specific services provided by the Lake Trust include: providing staff support for water quality programs of the Belgrade Lakes Association, primarily for data collection & analysis; facilitating monthly collaborative meetings between BRCA and the five member lake associations; and providing direction for the Courtesy Boat Inspection Program and Youth Conservation Corps. 41058 8000 70808 Stewardship Program: BRCA operates an active stewardship program to monitor conservation easements and ensure that the conservation values of fee properties are protected. In 2014, each fee property and conservation easement was visited at least once to monitor conditions on the property. BRCA staff and volunteers completed work projects on several trails owned by BRCA. In all, 20 volunteers contributed 300 hours to help with the stewardship program. BRCA also contracted to provide stewardship services to the US Wildlife Land Trust (WLT), a national land trust with holdings in Maine. Under this contract, BRCA staff conducted monitoring at eight WLT properties and easements in Maine. 38840 5000 49523 Land Trust division: BRCA's Land Trust Program develops plans and strategies for conserving land through fee purchases and conservation easements. Potential properties are evaluated using our long-term conservation plan and the Land Trust Committee negotiates purchases or donations with landowners and works to raise funds with a capital campaign. One of our major projects, the Kennebec Highlands was conducted in partnership with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, partially funded by the Land for Maine's Future (LMF) program. Our priorities are to expand high value wildlife habitat and protect water quality while expanding low-impact recreational opportunities in the watershed. The following is from BRCA's strategic plan: Responsibilities are to develop and apply criteria for selecting land or conservation easements for BRCA acquisition; select target properties for BRCA ownership or conservation easements; negotiate purchases and donations of land or easements with landowners; coordinate with Stewardship Committee to identify long-term goals and costs of ownership or easement of properties prior to acquisition decisions; document all steps of the land acquisition process in accordance with LTA Standards and Practices; and apply for grants and conduct capital campaigns to fund land and easement acquisition. Goals are to add to the conserved land area in the Belgrade Lakes region in accordance with a long range conservation plan; to protect areas that provide high-value habitat and/or are important to the water quality of the Belgrade Lakes; to expand existing conservation lands and establish wildlife and trail corridors to connect natural areas; and to expand recreational opportunities by linking existing trails and properties, creating canoe/kayak trail, etc. 16160 20901 15901 Watershed Program: The BRCA Watershed Program conducts projects to improve water quality throughout the watershed. These projects are funded through Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grants from the 319 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program. The program partners with the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District (KCSWCD). Projects include watershed surveys, education and outreach on water quality, watershed based plans, & designing and implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) for gravel roads or other erosion sites. 7244 25000 30210 Education and Outreach Program: Program goals are to establish a strong environmental education program that provides services to schools and summer camps in the Belgrade Lakes region as well as to the general public, to increase public awareness of conservation issues & to encourage members of the public to make environmentally responsible choices. Specific activities in the summer of 2014 included weekly programs, guided hikes, and canoe trips by BRCA volunteers for the general public, and a lecture series held two times per month for the summer. 103302 58901 166442 486581 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 0 1 52 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 14 14 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 ME X X Richard Greenan 2074959045 137 Main St 2nd floor PO Box 250 Belgrade Lakes ME 049180250 X Melvin Croft President 3 0 X X 0 0 0 Donald Mairs Secretary 2 0 X X 0 0 0 Richard Greenan Treasurer 3 0 X X 0 0 0 Warren Balgooyen Member at Large 3 0 X 0 0 0 Christine Cook Member at Large 2 0 X 0 0 0 Patrick Donahue Member at Large 1 0 X 0 0 0 Edward Hammond Member at Large 1 0 X 0 0 0 Mark Heuberger Member at Large 1 0 X 0 0 0 Peter Kallin Member at Large 3 0 X 0 0 0 Jodie Mosher-Towle Member at Large 2 0 X 0 0 0 John Schultz Member at Large 1 0 X 0 0 0 Margaret Shannon Member at Large 1 0 X 0 0 0 William Swan Member at Large 2 0 X 0 0 0 Mike Willey Member at Large 1 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50796 53148 10961 98769 168378 0 382052 Milfoil Program 813312 147767 147767 0 0 Youth Conservation Corps 813312 27787 27787 0 0 Lakes Trust Division 813312 14750 14750 0 0 Stewardship Program 813312 2887 2887 0 0 0 0 0 0 193191 27309 27309 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 53148 0 602552 220500 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 261363 228765 29307 3291 0 0 0 0 11998 7176 4822 0 24709 22573 1864 272 0 0 0 0 10212 10212 0 0 4198 1258 2940 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1258 1258 0 0 103481 100909 2222 350 75 0 0 75 45037 32583 7592 4862 1168 886 282 0 0 0 0 0 25000 16500 8500 0 8449 7924 499 26 0 0 0 0 2035 1807 228 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11722 8216 3506 0 54394 46514 782 7098 565099 486581 62544 15974 23319 28972 136236 125031 34118 10000 15613 32609 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22727 790 1718170 0 1429567 1718170 360214 395473 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2021794 2311045 19605 18524 0 0 0 0 0 250000 2461 5340 22066 273864 X 41488 39691 1958240 567923 0 1429567 1999728 2037181 2021794 2311045 37453 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 X 269642 309104 365912 384038 382052 1710748 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 269642 309104 365912 384038 382052 1710748 206023 1504725 17937 271 27506 46733 27309 119756 0 0 0 0 0 0 148191 145725 249680 297572 203595 1044763 2875267 0 0.52333 0.51027 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 Fundraising events (boat party, 5K Race for the Lakes, and Aquafest Family Festival) and Program Service Revenue (Milfoil Porgram's Courtesy Boat Inspections; Youth Conservation Corps's erosion control projects; Land Trust, general and as related to the Kennebec Highlands; Stewardship duties for the Humane Society for the United States Wildlife Land Trust; and the Lakes Trust division performing water quality projects and tasks for the Colby College EPSCOR Sustainability grant). RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X 14 1058 0 0 0 1 1 325.00 4852 1 360214 47448 27068 0 38000 1258 395472 307135 7371 45708 0 0 0 360214 282366 0 26269 0 1500 0 307135 216687 67025 271 0 0 0 283983 188241 12325 16121 0 0 0 216687 0.87 0 0.13 1 0 0 1699075 1699075 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19095 0 19095 0 0 0 0 1718170 4010 Accrued Payroll Taxes - State of Maine 1330 5340 Schedule D, Part II, Line 5 The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance's (BRCA) Conservation Easement Monitoring Policy: Every parcel on which BRCA holds an easement will be monitored at least once a year. Monitoring will be done by BRCA staff or trained volunteers. The monitor will follow established procedures and will thoroughly document the result of the monitoring visit. Monitoring report forms will be kept on file at the BRCA office. Whenever a new conservation easement is acquired, the Stewardship Committee will, within six months of the easement signing, consider the monitoring requirements of the easement, establish an appropriate monitoring schedule, and appoint a monitor for the property. When a landowner exercises reserved rights requiring notification of BRCA, one or more additional monitoring visits will be made to ensure that the activities are carried out in accordance with the easement. The landowner will be informed in advance of all monitoring visits and invited to attend. Following the visit, the owner will be informed in writing of the results of the visit, whether they were present or not. The person conducting an official monitoring visit on an easement may not be the owner of the property. Whenever possible, the same person will monitor an easement from year to year. Schedule D, Part II, Line 9 BRCA Conservation Easements are valued using the zero valuation method. Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 The goals of the BRCA endowment funds and its accounts are to maintain the integrity of the BRCA fee lands and conservation easements and to fund improvements and public services related to their maintenance. Stewardship endowment funds may be used to pay for operating costs of BRCA conservation lands. One of the funds is intended to provide a portion of the annual operating funds of the Youth Conservation Corps. Stewardship Appeal 23359 23359 0 0 0 0 0 0 1837 Youth Conservation Corps Appeal 19385 19385 0 0 0 0 0 0 1420 1 8175 0 8175 0 212 250 4223 400 208 50919 42744 8175 0 212 250 4223 400 3465 8550 -375 X 1 0 appraisal 1 0 0 0 Schedule M, Part I, Line 33 The conservation easement on the property is of no value to BRCA and the land remains property of the owner. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 BRCA is supported in part from our membership. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a BRCA members may attend the annual meeting where they may elect one or more members of the Board of Directors and the officers of the corporation. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7b Only by-law changes. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The 990 review process includes review by the president, the treasurer, the office manager, the executive director, and then reviewed by the board. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The BRCA conflict of interest policy is semi-annually reviewed at the April and October board meetings. Also, when issues arise during monthly board meetings, where voting is needed on issues that may entail issues of conflict of interest, board members abstain. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 The process for determining the executive director's compensation includes a review and approval by the board using comparability data from outside resources. Performed annually. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 BRCA makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public. The by-laws are made available to the members upon request and distributed prior to any proposed amendments. The conflict of interest policy is written in the BRCA organizational manual and available on request. The BRCA financial statements and 990 are available to the public through Guidestar website and to members at the annual meeting. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 BRCA makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public. The by-laws are made available to the members upon request and distributed prior to any proposed amendments. The conflict of interest policy is written in the BRCA organizational manual and available on request. The BRCA financial statements and 990 are available to the public through Guidestar website and to members upon request. Form 990, Part IX, Line 11g The bulk of this expense line for programs is for contractors with a DASH (diver-assisted suction harvester) boat to remove the milfoil infestation for our Milfoil Program.